Introduction | The Quest | The Process & Resources | Roles | Conclusion |
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*You will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about colonial history. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Use your in-class dictionary and your teammates for help. Alse be sure to check out the links each of these sites recommend. You'll find them equally useful!
Step 2 - Converting Research into Newspaper Submissions
1. Each editorial section of the newspaper requires a unique form, style and tools of journalism. After a class lesson on Parts of a Newspaper, your Regional Team will meet and assign a newspaper editor role to each person. Each role has it's own writing team.• 2 News Editors (reports on late-breaking news of events and interviews)
• 2 Opinion Editors (voices opinions about controversial topics)
• 2 Features Editors (shares useful information about home & entertainment)
• 2 Art & Advertising Editors (designs business ads, political cartoons, photos)
You are now a member of both teams, Regional and Editorial. In the Editorial Team, you will learn and support each other as a writing group.
2. Each Editorial Team will be provided in-class lessons and activities specific to their roles. Carefully review these links to give you a background as to what a journalist does.
"EVERYBODY" LINKS*
3. Regional Team Activity: Together, begin thinking about which topics or stories in colonial history could be best told by news, opinion or feature articles. Write a one paragraph proposal to your teacher summarizing what you will be writing and what resources you will be using.
4. Editorial Team Activity: Look at many local newspapers as models. Specifically look at the section of the paper that matches your assigned editorial page of The Colonial Gazette. Examine the layout, content, and design of the page. How is it written? What design or page layout aspects do you like? What will you try to replicate?
Introduction | The Quest | The Process & Resources | Roles | Conclusion |
Roles
News Editor
In the very first paragraph, news reporters tell their readers much of the who? what? where? when? why?and how? of a recent event. Paragraphs are often to the point, brief and state facts. Following the first paragraph, reporters provide further details such as quoting an eyewitnesses or background information.
Focus Question What important events did or could have occurred that would have made front page news?
Opinion Editor Opinion Editors share their opinions about controversial topics. The newspaper staff hopes these opinions will inspire readers to in-turn share their opinions by writing back to the newspaper. Opinions are also shared through art, called political cartoons.
Focus Question What were some issues back in 1775 that sparked debate between colonists? What arguments could each side make?
- A Matter of Opinion - A how-to guide for writing editorials and political cartoons.
Features Editor Features Editors don't report on late-breaking news. Rather, it is their job to find and write about interesting topics that help people live better lives. Articles about health, travel, cooking, fashion, recreation, education, literature and people are often 'featured.'
Focus Question
What was daily life like in colonial America? What could you use from your research to write an article about health, homemaking, entertainment or education?
- 18th Century Clothing - Fashion alert! What did people wear back in the 1700's? Find out what the colonists found fashionable at this site!
- Colonial Living - History Detectives! Learn about the Springers, a real colonial family, by examining their artifacts and answering clues.
Advertising & Art Editor
Advertising Editors have an important role in newspaper development. Ads in newspapers help pay the cost of producing each issue. Editors help local businesses design ads that will catch the attention of potential customers. The information and artwork in an ad must be both accurate and attractive.
Search for ads and politcal cartoons in several local newspapers. Look at design layout, font and illustration. Discuss with other Ad Editors what makes a good ad.
Focus Question
What kinds of goods or service-type businesses existed in colonial times ? How would they want their ad designed?
- Ad Managers - This link describes what ad managers do in real life.
Step 3 - Writing Process
Remember, you went back in history! Therefore, you need to write your articles as if you were reporting them back in 1775. Watch your tense and tone.
Use of Imagination - You may include fictious (not real) people and businesses in your articles for quotes or in reference. Stay true to the locations and the ways colonial people lived back then. You are welcome to discuss ideas or concerns about made up things in your story with your teacher.
As in all projects in this class, we will go through all the steps of the writing process.
1. Brainstorm and Free write
2. Draft
3. Review on your own and with peers
4. Revise
5. Edit & Rewrite
6. Repeat Steps 3&4
7. Final Draft on the computer. Save file.
*Ads and artwork will go through a similiar revision process. Original artwork will be scanned.
Step 4 - Design & Layout
Working with the teachers, you will individually and in editorial teams assist in formatting your work to create a newspage. When it is done, we will photocopy an issue.
Introduction | The Quest | The Process & Resources | Roles | Conclusion |
Conclusion
Through The Colonial Crier, you not only learned more about American History, but you also learned about journalism and newspapers. I hope you enjoy reading all your classmates' articles and ads! By fusing fact with fiction, we've created a fun way to learn. Thanks to our class project, now other students learning about colonial America have a new resource.